Translator: CinderTL
Over the next few days, Jiang Ye continued his cultivation in the Elite Class.
The martial dao instructor for Class 1 was Cao Feng, the bearded man Jiang Ye had met previously.
However, in Jiang Ye's view, the teaching quality in the Elite Class was no different from Chen Zilu's. In fact, in some details, it was even inferior.
Moreover, without the 30% comprehension boost from the patriarch's friend buff, Jiang Ye's breakthrough to Perfection was delayed by several days longer than he had anticipated.
Before he knew it, it was already January 2326.
One day, at home:
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Jiang Ye's body swayed rhythmically, alternating between punches and elbow strikes. Each movement flowed as naturally as drifting clouds and flowing water, without the slightest hint of stiffness.
With each exertion of force, every muscle in his body pulsed in perfect synchronization, like precisely calibrated gears forming a seamless loop of power.
Gradually, the force he exerted with each strike grew increasingly refined, leaving no trace of wasted energy.
Ding!
Suddenly, it was as if a bottleneck had shattered.
Boom!
In an instant, an overwhelming sense of liberation erupted from the depths of his soul, like a seed buried under snow finally breaking through the earth.
A feeling of spring breeze and gentle rain washed over him, bringing clarity and lightness.
"Finally."
"The Star Martial Cultivation Method has reached Perfection! I've broken through!"
Jiang Ye slowly withdrew from his stance, gazing at his body.
At that moment, Jiang Ye could feel every inch of his skin becoming incredibly sensitive, completely under his control.
He closed his eyes.
He could hear faint sounds from a hundred meters away.
He could even sense the movement of dust particles in the air.
His five senses seemed to have merged seamlessly with his surroundings.
"In ancient times, reaching this state was called 'harmony between man and heaven'—communing with the cosmos!"
Jiang Ye opened his eyes, his face radiant with joy.
After two and a half years of arduous cultivation, he had finally achieved his initial goal.
Though his ambitions now extended far beyond this, he couldn't contain his elation.
[Your strength has reached the system's new upper limit!]
[Unlocked title: Limitless Grandmaster]
[Limitless Grandmaster: The pinnacle of martial dao, where the heights are cold and lonely, surpassing countless martial artists.]
Jiang Ye automatically skipped past the system's boastful descriptions and focused on the reward.
[Reward: Physique Transformation—Advanced to Upper-Tier Mortal Body Grade A]
"Upper-Tier Mortal Body Grade A?!" Jiang Ye's heart jolted.
Grade A mortal bodies were divided into upper, middle, and lower tiers.
The upper tier was undoubtedly the strongest mortal body grade!
He hadn't expected such a significant upgrade!
"The physique transformation will take some time," Jiang Ye sensed, noticing only subtle changes so far.
"Perfect. I'll try climbing the second level first."
With that thought, his consciousness suddenly plunged downward.
In the next moment, Jiang Ye found himself in a misty realm.
Before him stood a majestic golden ladder, radiating an aura of immense grandeur.
"Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder," Jiang Ye said, approaching the cloud ladder.
After effortlessly ascending ten steps, he reached the first level.
The Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder consisted of ten steps per level. To reach the second level, he would need to climb another ten steps.
In the past, Jiang Ye had always trained in the illusionary realm on the first level. But today, he immediately began climbing higher.
Buzz!
A tremendous pressure descended upon him.
The same pressure that had once overwhelmed him now felt as light as walking on flat ground.
Jiang Ye climbed steadily, crossing nine steps in the blink of an eye.
As he reached the tenth step, a terrifying pressure suddenly surged, as if gravity had instantly increased tenfold.
"Is that all?"
Every muscle in Jiang Ye's body tensed as he straightened his back against the crushing force.
His body, honed to Perfection through cultivation, functioned like a battle machine, unleashing an indomitable power that allowed him to take the next step despite the immense pressure.
Boom!
In an instant, the pressure vanished.
Jiang Ye found himself on the second-level platform of the Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder.
You have reached the second level of the Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder.
Activate the second-level trial immediately?
A panel appeared before him.
Jiang Ye wasn't surprised.
The first level had been an illusionary realm trial.
What kind of trial awaited him on the second level?
With a hint of anticipation, Jiang Ye mentally commanded, "Activate the second-level trial!"
Buzz!
The next moment, the environment around him plunged into darkness.
Jiang Ye's consciousness felt like it had been struck by a club, sinking into the abyss.
When Jiang Ye opened his eyes again, he found himself standing in a dimly lit room.
The walls were lined with various torture instruments: leather whips, candles, chains, hemp ropes, and more.
"What is this place?" Jiang Ye frowned slightly as he surveyed the instruments.
Leather whips and candles?
Are they into some twisted stuff?
"Could this be another illusionary realm? But this time, some kind of... special play? I don't even have that kind of fetish."
Jiang Ye looked around in confusion.
But the moment he did, he was startled.
He was bound to a torture rack.
So, he's the one being subjected to this?!
Just then, a crimson timer appeared before him:
0 hours 0 minutes 0 seconds.
"Is this trial about enduring physical pain?" Jiang Ye frowned.
Though he wasn't thrilled about it, he wasn't afraid of pain.
Having endured countless trials in the first-layer illusionary realm, his Martial Dao Will had long been tempered to steel. Mere physical pain was nothing to him.
Buzz~!
As Jiang Ye thought this, the torture rack trembled slightly, signaling the start of the trial.
"Holy shit!"
Instantly, Jiang Ye couldn't take it anymore.
A wave of excruciating pain surged through him, as if someone were tearing off his skin and repeatedly rubbing chili water into the raw flesh.
This agony far surpassed the Thunderfire Trial he had endured earlier!
At the same moment, the crimson timer officially began counting.
To Jiang Ye's dismay, the damned thing wasn't a countdown.
This meant he had no idea how long he needed to endure to pass the trial!
If he gave up prematurely, wouldn't all his previous suffering have been for nothing?
Are they treating me like a Japanese prisoner of war?!
"Bring it on," Jiang Ye gritted his teeth, his face icy. "Pain? Who's afraid of pain?"
This time, he would clear this trial in one go!
Hum! Hum!
The torture rack vibrated again, and Jiang Ye began to feel unbearable agony.
He clenched his jaw, forcing himself to adapt to the pain.
If I can't even endure this much, how will I survive the cosmic tempering later?
Jiang Ye knew this trial might gradually immunize him to pain.
But just as he was starting to adjust...
Suddenly, a candle flew toward him.
Immediately afterward, a drop of wax fell onto his wound.
In an instant, a storm of pain swept through his mind.
The drop of 'wax' contained some unknown substance, seemingly imbued with a mysterious energy that surged wildly into his body through the wound.
Jiang Ye felt every cell in his body being torn apart.
His eyes widened as he finally realized it wasn't wax at all, but a pillar of energy condensed from some mysterious force. Each drop inflicted unbearable agony!
This pain was tens of times more intense than the previous Thunderfire Trial!
"Endure!"
Jiang Ye gritted his teeth, forcing himself to withstand the torment.
If he gave up now, all his previous efforts would be for naught, and he'd have to repeat the entire trial from scratch!
Fortunately, his Martial Dao Will was exceptionally resilient and tenacious.
Even this excruciating pain couldn't break his resolve.
And so, Jiang Ye endured the relentless agony as time crawled by.
He didn't know how long had passed.
Amidst the endless torment, his consciousness teetered on the brink of collapse. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, the taut string in his heart snapped.
In the next moment, the surrounding environment faded into darkness.
The trial had ended.
(End of the Chapter)
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